Course summary

This online Masters in Public Relations and Strategic Communication will help you to develop a critical appreciation of the role of public relations in contemporary societies, as well as key analytical, management and communication skills. You’ll gain a solid understanding of the theory behind public relations and communications, and have many opportunities to apply this theory to everyday communications and public relations practice. The course is delivered online via MS Teams and Canvas, the University of Stirling’s online learning environment. You will also have an opportunity to attend on-campus sessions and field trips, including our Public Relations Residential School and the annual public affairs field trip to Brussels. By the end of your studies, you’ll have the necessary skills to work at a managerial level in public relations. You’ll be able to analyse environments, issues, organisational cultures and relationships – as well as set objectives, carry out research and evaluation, and design and implement public relations strategies. We’re continually updating this well-established course in line with new advances in theory and practice, including how communication campaigns may successfully integrate digital media. Guest lectures offer opportunities to discuss strategic communication issues with leading practitioners and scholars. These also give you networking opportunities and an understanding of current best practice. This course was established in 1988 and was the first degree in public relations in the UK and one of the first in Europe. Several prominent public relations academics and practitioners have completed their education at Stirling. Our PR graduates have been nominated and won EUPRERA (European Public Relations Research and Education Association) Master Thesis Awards for Excellence in 2019, 2021 and 2022.